http://www.nntp.perl.org/group/perl.perl5.porters/2007/11/msg130717.html

Specifically, he states 

The consequences of this change are that 5.5 is effectively end-of-lif
+ed.
Without MakeMaker or Test::More support most modules cannot be install
+ed.
Eventually modules will start to use new features of Test::More and Ma
+keMaker
and 5.5 users will be unable to upgrade.  The upside is that this de-f
+acto
releases everyone else from having to support 5.5.  If one part of the
+ chain
won't work there's no point in putting effort into the rest.

[download]
My criteria for good software:
  1. Does it work?
  2. Can someone else come in, make a change, and be reasonably certain no bugs were introduced?

In reply to Schwern announcing he no longer supports 5.5 by dragonchild

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